The Board and Staff of the Art Gallery of Mississauga are pleased to announce that the AGM has retained Lord Cultural Resources to conduct a Facility Planning Study for the Gallery. This Study aims to address the AGM's goal to "Grow space to accommodate the long term objectives of the Gallery."

The Art Gallery of Mississauga looks to the future as it celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2012. The AGM has brought art to the community and the community to art since 1987. The Gallery now asks: How will the AGM become a gallery befitting the sixth largest city in Canada?

Lord Cultural Resources, founded in 1981, has earned an international reputation for excellence based on more than 1900 museum planning assignments worldwide. Among their projects are: The Tate Modern, McMaster University Museum of Art, Toronto International Film Festival Centre (TIFF Bell Lightbox), most recently, the Chicago Cultural Plan for the City of Chicago. The Art Gallery of Mississauga's study will be headed by Vice President of Lord Cultural Resources Catharine Tanner to provide the AGM with a comprehensive review and concrete recommendations identifying the needs, space allocation and to open the discussion of future expansion of the Gallery. [lord.ca]

AGM Board President Anne Kennedy:

"Mississauga is the sixth largest city in Canada – there is so much potential for growth in the arts community! The AGM aims to expand and become an even more vital part of an emerging community in new inventive ways."

As the AGM increases and improves its programming initiatives and expands its profile in the community and beyond, it becomes even more crucial to also address the Gallery's space restrictions. Facility limitations have been a concern since the Gallery first opened its doors in 1987. Limited visibility and accessibility in the current location is an ongoing barrier in fulfilling the mandate to bring art to the community and the community to art.

AGM Executive Director/Curator Robert Freeman:

"We are excited about the potential for the Art Gallery of Mississauga! With the City's recognition of the necessity of the arts to form a vibrant City, it is the optimal time for the Gallery to grow. Having engaged Lord Cultural Resources for a Facility Planning Study, we look forward to expanding the Gallery. The AGM will play an essential role as a centre for the visual arts in Mississauga."

The study by Lord Cultural Resources will provide the Art Gallery of Mississauga with a comprehensive review and concrete recommendations to identify and give priority to the logical sequence of future visioning and expansion projects.